Damaged Ta Kwai Temple in Surin at Risk of Collapse, Access Barred

Lawyer and social activist Jibran Nasir has criticised the country’s political and economic situation, alleging that pressure, censorship and coercive measures have failed to change public opinion about PTI founder Imran Khan. Speaking to anchorperson Ameer Abbas, Nasir said authorities had been unable to alter public sentiment toward Imran Khan despite what he described as years of pressure and attempts to control political discourse. He argued that if public opinion had genuinely changed, millions of people would not have voted for Imran Khan and his political movement in the February 8 general elections. Nasir questioned how the authorities could claim to change broader public thinking about the economy, Constitution and rule of law when they had not been able to change people’s views about a single political leader. He also criticised what he described as restrictions on political expression and media freedom. Nasir alleged that force, state pressure, censorship and arrests were being used to control political developments. According to Nasir, suppressing criticism does not resolve underlying public grievances. He said people who speak about alleged injustices are sometimes portrayed as creating unrest rather than being allowed to raise their concerns. He warned that continued reliance on pressure could increase frustration among citizens instead of resolving political differences. Nasir further claimed that people were now more aware of political developments and could not easily be persuaded through fear or restrictions. He said arrests, cases and harsh measures had not succeeded in changing the position of a significant section of the public. The lawyer maintained that political issues could not be permanently controlled through force. He called for greater space for political expression and a process through which public grievances could be addressed. His comments come amid continued political tensions between the government and PTI. The party has repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of its leadership, legal cases against its members and restrictions on political activities.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. The party has described the July 27 polls as unacceptable and demanded a judicial inquiry into the violence reported in the region. PTI leaders also called for the cancellation of the remaining two phases of the elections. They demanded fresh elections across AJK in a single phase under an independent and impartial election commission. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan appeared alongside former AJK prime minister Sardar Qayyum Niazi. The leaders strongly criticised the violence reported in Rawalakot, Mirpur and other areas. Multiple reports of deaths and injuries have emerged since Monday. Videos showing unrest have also circulated on social media, although the reported casualties could not be independently verified. Both security agencies and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) have reported casualties during clashes. Niazi said Kashmiris were facing what he described as unprecedented oppression. He said the situation was particularly concerning because Kashmiris had historically supported the cause of accession to Pakistan. He claimed protesters had attempted to resolve their grievances through negotiations. According to him, the situation deteriorated after their demands were not addressed. Niazi maintained that the protesters were peaceful. He questioned the use of force against them and urged authorities to avoid further escalation. He also criticised the decision to conduct the AJK elections in three phases. Niazi argued that the region has a relatively small population and questioned why the elections could not have been held on a single day. He said the ongoing violence was damaging Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue. According to him, AJK is considered an important base for the wider Kashmir cause. Niazi warned that the unrest could send a negative message internationally. He said Pakistan had previously highlighted alleged human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir at international forums. He argued that developments in AJK could make it difficult for Pakistan to effectively present its position on Kashmir before the international community. The former AJK prime minister also rejected the portrayal of protesters as terrorists. He said the same people had previously been engaging with authorities through negotiations. Niazi called for dialogue and urged the government to avoid further use of force. He proposed the establishment of a national government in AJK until conditions returned to normal. He said free and transparent elections should then be held across the region, with PTI participating in the process. Gohar also strongly criticised the July 27 elections. He alleged that the polls had failed to reflect the will of the people. The PTI chairman said using force to silence protesters could not resolve political and public grievances. He argued that listening to citizens was a fundamental part of democracy. Gohar criticised both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for turning the election dispute into a political contest. He said political parties should focus on the violence and reported casualties rather than exchanging allegations over electoral gains and losses. The PTI leader also pointed to the low voter turnout. He claimed that the limited participation represented public dissatisfaction with the existing political system. Gohar said the Kashmir issue was extremely sensitive and should not be used for political interests. He urged all stakeholders to act responsibly and resolve the crisis through dialogue. PTI has now formally demanded a judicial investigation into the reported violence. The party also wants the remaining election phases, scheduled for August 2 and August 10, cancelled. The party has further called for the resignation of the AJK government and the formation of a national government to manage the situation. PTI wants fresh elections to be held across AJK in a single phase. It has called for the process to be conducted under the supervision of an independent and impartial election commission. The party says dialogue should be prioritised to address public grievances and restore normalcy before a fresh electoral process begins.

RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered authorities to ensure complete fire safety arrangements at all government hospitals in Rawalpindi. The chief minister has also sought a detailed report from Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir about the safety arrangements at government hospitals across the city. The directive comes amid growing concerns over fire safety at healthcare facilities following the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir said authorities would ensure the installation of proper fire safety systems in all government hospitals. He said work had already started on the installation of fire hydrants at hospitals. The facilities will also be checked to ensure that emergency arrangements are functional and accessible. On the deputy commissioner’s instructions, the Additional Deputy Commissioner visited government hospitals along with Rescue teams. The teams inspected the hospitals and reviewed their existing fire safety arrangements. They also examined the facilities required to respond to an emergency. Officials are focusing on three key areas. These include fire alarms, fire hydrants and emergency exits. The administration has been directed to ensure that fire alarms are operational and that hydrants are available at appropriate locations. Emergency exits are also being checked to ensure that patients, attendants and hospital staff can leave buildings quickly during an emergency. The deputy commissioner said the safety of patients was the administration’s top priority. He warned that no negligence would be tolerated in implementing fire safety measures. The inspection campaign is aimed at identifying weaknesses before they lead to a major incident. Authorities are also expected to take corrective measures wherever deficiencies are found. Government hospitals handle large numbers of patients every day. Many patients are also critically ill and cannot be moved quickly during an emergency. Officials therefore consider functional fire prevention and evacuation systems essential for protecting patients and medical staff.